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NEW ORLEANS -- Tulane University recruit Lynaris Elpheage, a wide receiver from Carver High School who earned honorable mention All-America honors from USA Today as a senior, will join the Green Wave football team immediately, TU officials announced Friday.

Elpheage (5-9, 168) and Tulane received word Friday that he will be a full qualifier under NCAA guidelines and is eligible to practice and play for the Green Wave in 2000.

"We're excited about Lynaris joining our football team," said Head Coach Chris Scelfo. "He was one of the top players in the city of New Orleans last year, and he had the opportunity to go anywhere and play, but he chose to stay at home. He's a big addition to our team and we're looking forward to seeing him out on the field in a Green Wave uniform."

The Louisiana Class 4A Offensive Player of the Year and two-time All-Metro selection, Elpheage was ecstatic to learn he had been cleared to play.

"It means a lot to me," Elpheage said. "It's been nerve-wracking the last 10 days, waiting on the mailman every morning and coming up empty. Getting the phone call today was a great relief. The Tulane coaches and team have been with me 100 percent, helping me keep my head up. Now I'm looking forward to getting out there and helping the team."

Elpheage's fellow signee Kory Thigpen, a 6-4 tight end from Taylorsville, Miss., learned Friday that his NCAA waiver appeal has been denied and he has not been cleared to join the team.

After a week of practices at St. Paul's School in Covington, the Green Wave will hold its final practice of the year in Covington Saturday morning. The team is scheduled to scrimmage in St. Paul's Stadium beginning at 8 a.m. The scrimmage is open to the public. Following the scrimmage, the team will sign autographs and greet the fans.

The mission of the Tulane University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is to support the university's purpose of enriching the capacity to think, learn, act, and lead with integrity and wisdom. This is ensured by providing our student-athletes and staff with opportunities for competitive success and personal growth within the context of sportsmanship, teamwork, and integrity.